Honeybees are the most prevalent insect pollinator species; they pollinate a wide range of crops. Colony collapse disorder (CCD), which is caused by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, incurs high economic/ecological loss. Despite extensive research to identify and study the various ecological stressors such as microbial infections, exposure to pesticides, loss of habitat,…
The position is based at the Department of Ecology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), in Uppsala, Sweden with the honey bee health research group. https://www.slu.se/en/departments/ecology/research2/vetenskapliga-amnen/agricultural-entomology/honey-bee-health/ Project Description The goal of this project is to produce a comprehensive overview of the ecological immunity of honeybees by combining phenotypic and genomic measurements. The successful…
The EurBeST Pilot project “Restructuring of the honey bee chain and Varroa resistance breeding & selection programme” (Agri 2017-0346) ran from 2019 to 2021 and explored possibilities for increasing the varroa resistance of commercially available honey bees by selective breeding, and analysed ways to improve beekeepers’ access to resistant material. Analysis of the EU market…
Abstract The diversity of endemic honeybee subspecies and ecotypes is at risk in Europe because modern apiculture promotes only a small number of honeybee strains. A crucial step for the conservation of honeybee diversity is the assessment of the status of remaining wild populations and their limiting factors. Here we present a two-year census of native, wild-living honeybees inhabiting power poles…
WCVM Research Chair in Pollinator Health The Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant/Associate Professor level in anatomic pathology with a strong research focus on pollinator health. The successful candidate will be a researcher with demonstrated exceptional research achievements…
On March 18th, 2022 our Vice President, colleague, and friend Panuwan Chantawannakul passed away. She was with her family, and many of her current and former students. She’s terribly missed. Several activities are being discussed so that we can celebrate her. We will keep you informed.
Abstract Honey bees (Apis mellifera) perform pollination service for many agricultural crops and contribute to the global economy in agriculture and bee products. However, honey bee health is an ongoing concern, as illustrated by persistent local population decline, caused by some severe bee diseases (e.g., nosemosis, AFB, EFB, chalkbrood). Three natural recipes are in development…
Abstract Honey adulteration generates low quality products on the market. The study aimed to find a simple, specific and less time-consuming method than standard melissopalynology only, for monitoring honey botanical and geographical origin. In this study 42 honey samples from different sources were examined for their botanical origin by using melissopalynology and their specific protein…
Abstract Pollinating bees are stressed by highly variable environmental conditions, malnutrition, parasites and pathogens, but may also by getting in contact with microorganisms or entomopathogenic nematodes that are used to control plant pests and diseases. While foraging for water, food, or nest material social as well as solitary bees have direct contact or even consume…
Many parts of the globe experience severe losses and fragmentation of habitats, affecting the self-sustainability of pollinator populations. A number of bee species coexist as wild and managed populations. Using honey bees as an example, we argue that several management practices in beekeeping threaten genetic diversity in both wild and managed populations, and drive population…